a good little microwave for a corner

We bought a microwave! I’ve often said that we didn’t have room in our tiny kitchen but this one is a microwave that fits into a corner (queue triumphant music). The back is rounded (shown below) and since it’s as tall as it is wide it doesn’t take up too much countertop space. It’s cute right? It looks like those big tvs some of us grew up watching. When we were surveying the kitchen trying to figure out where we could put a microwave we decided the corner was really the only option and I was shocked to find out that somebody actually makes one.

The back of the inside of the microwave is also rounded, there is a turntable inside. The microwave is tiny but it does fit an 11-inch dinner place. In the picture above I showed some plates from Ikea (the Ikea 365 brand) that feel like really large plates but fit just fine inside. It’s got buttons for Defrost, Reheat and Popcorn and you can choose your power level.

Note: This is what I originally said, see the next paragraph for why the microwave is awesome and I’m dumb. It’s not all perfect though. The inside of the microwave is only six inches high from the surface of the turntable to the top of the inside and it looks like it might be a bit cramped. That said, the orange mixing bowls shown above are pretty tall and fit inside with plenty of clearance. When I am taking a soup bowl out of the microwave it does take a little more care since I have to grab it from both sides to ease it out. The microwave lacks a keypad so you cannot just type in “2-0-0″ to zap something for two minutes, you have to hold down the time button. It doesn’t take long for it to count up to the 2:00 mark (it counts by five second increments for the first minute, 15 second increments for the second minute and then thirty seconds after that) but it’s not quite as convenient as being able to hit a few buttons. There is an “add 30 seconds” option for when things area already heating and I’ve already started taking the lazy girls option of hitting the heating button just once, hitting start and then pressing the “add 30″ button a few times once it’s already going. These are all compromises I was happy to make for something that doesn’t take up all my countertop space.

Update: Martha mentioned in the comments that you can put food inside, close the door and hit the start button to get 30 seconds going, then you can just hit the start button again for 30 second increments. Which is perfect! Huge thanks to Martha for pointing out the lazy shortcut I was apparently too lazy to find on my own. I will note that this is in the manual, I just didn’t actually read it.

It’s the first time in years and years that we’ve had a microwave. We decided to get one because we’ve pretty much cut bread out of our diets and the toaster wasn’t getting much use. Up until now we’ve reheated leftovers by steaming them on the stovetop, a process which works out nicely but does take a wee bit more time than a microwave. Aaaand since our schedules mean we don’t end up home together for dinner most nights having the option to zap leftovers was sounding better and better. Since we got it I’ve been making excuses to heat things up and I stand there watching them turn around and around like I’m six years old again.

That’s a super cute microwave! Can’t say that I put anything larger than a dinner plate in mine anyway – though I do sometimes cover leftovers with a mixing bowl to prevent spatters and dryness… But I’d love something smaller like that! Rice Krispie squares are easy enough to make on the stovetop, anyway. :-)

We don’t have a microwave, so we use our toaster oven to heat up leftovers. I would love to hear more about your steaming method though. Did you just put things in one of those metal flower-petal-like folding things and steam? What does that work best for?

Nathalie and Nora – Here is what I did. I used a low silicone steamer (the Chef’n Sleekstore), then I made a cup out of tin foil – I’d usually just mold it around the bottom of a cereal bowl. I’d put the leftovers (usually Thai) into the tin foil, put that on top of the steamer, cover the pot and steam. Since the food isn’t wrapped all the way in foil the steam keeps the food from drying out. It can take a while, but it’s effective. If I was heating tomato-based something or something that would definitely stick I’d line my foil bowl with a square of parchment. Does this make sense?

How are you finding it? I just bought this microwave but taking it out of the box, it says it needs 12 inches / 30 cms clearance from the top for ventilation!
It is great for a corner but not a corner with a cupboard above it which, like your photo, is exactly what I have too.
Dilemna – do I ignore the manufacturers important safety instructions or not?

London girl – Oh hey, I didn’t read the manual that closely. We’ve had no trouble at all, but we don’t use the microwave for anything longer than a few minutes — we don’t even use it for bagged popcorn. I never leave the kitchen while it’s running either, I’m too paranoid for that.

I officially will say you should listen to the manufacturer’s recommendation. But we have had no trouble at all and it’s been running in our kitchen exactly where you see it in the photo above.

thank you for this post. i am considering buying this for my small kitchen. it is the first corner microwave i have seen. Could you tell me if a plate that measures 11 1/2 inches would fit? just bought new plates and would want them to fit.
Thanks so much!!

kathy – I’m afraid not. The turntable itself is 11 inches exactly and there is only 1/4″ (if that) clearance on the sides and back so I suspect your plates wouldn’t fit inside. I have 10 1/2 inch plates and they have to be placed carefully so that they don’t hit the sides when it starts to rotate.